Virtual Pride Day Acts

She’s been keeping us all entertained with her kitchen disco sets and last year returned to Bristol Pride to celebrate our 10^th anniversary. Enjoy a little bit of both as part of Bristol Pride Online this year.

Shooting to fame as vocalist on Spiller’s huge number one single Groovejet and followed up with Take Me Home and worldwide smash hit, Murder on the Dancefloor. Her double platinum debut solo album Read My Lips was released in 2001 and sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. With a string of chart hits and albums under her glittery stilettos, including The Freemasons collaboration Heart Break (Make Me a Dancer).

Spice Girl Melanie C and party makers Sink The Pink rocked the main stage last year as they joined together for a unique world-colliding live show in 2019.

A long-time ally and icon, Melanie’s solo career has seen over 3 million album sales, six Top 10 singles including two #1s with the iconic I Turn To You and Never be the Same Again.

She joined us on the back of the Spice Girl’s incredible UK stadium tour, and Melanie C has since release new, completely re-energised solo material while Sink The Pink continue to tell the next chapter of alternative UK nightlife with a mission brought together under the wider manifesto of community, equality, and change. It was something very special and we’re excited to be able to share this with you again.

A special message from Jake Shears, lead singer of the multiplatinum-selling, Grammy-nominated, Brit award-winning glam rock band SCISSOR SISTERS.

2018 was a busy year! It was our final year in the Amphitheatre before we were able to dot the i’s and cross the t’s to move to The Downs. So we are excited to bring you this incredible performance from that year. Rising to fame on X Factor she’s one of the most successful winners of the show selling well over 4 million records in the UK alone. As well as a string of chart hits she’s carved an incredible musical career taking lead roles in Whitney Houston musical Bodyguard and Sister Act.

Her debut album, Overcome, debuted at no. 1 in the UK charts spawning no. 1 singles ‘Bad Boys’, ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Start Without You’ received 3 BRIT Award nominations and further 3 top 10 hits including ‘Broken Heels’ and ‘The Silence’.

Wow. Boney M were incredible at Pride last year and need no introduction. The 1970s saw the birth of Disco born in New York’s Studio 54 where the sound system pumped out the steady beat of sizzling dance mixes and the atmosphere was carefree and electric.

One of the biggest groups to stand out and make their mark was BONEY M. Every Dancefloor and TV show were playing the music of this fabulous foursome from the Caribbean. We’re sharing some of their performance from last year for you as a special treat.

A mix of reggae, disco, funk, gospel, soul and rock their sound has become as iconic as original singer, Mazie Willaims’ vocals.

Bright Light Bright Light (South Wales born Rod Thomas) started his career busking on the London Underground and has since toured with Cher, Elton John, Erasure, Scissor Sisters, Ellie Goulding and John Grant.

His colourful pop music is inspired by the world of 80s and 90s cinema. Deemed “completely irresistible” by The Guardian and “Wales’ finest export” by Gay Times, Rod has taken his music around the world and used his platform to raise awareness and money for many LGBTQ+ charities. Also, as a much-loved DJ he has performed at Glastonbury, Bestival and numerous Pride festivals including Bristol Pride, and runs a weekly Time Out Recommended party in New York called ‘Romy & Michele’s Saturday Afternoon Tea Party’ at Alan Cumming’s bar where, musically, anything goes.

He’s recorded two very special performances in lockdown just for you including his latest single I Used To Be Cool.

Sharing performances from Pride is Berlin born and raised artist NINA who cites Depeche Mode as one of her early musical influences and currently counts Kavinsky as one of her fans.

NINA’s tracks have been widely used on TV shows, adverts and games world-wide and she’s known as the “Queen of Synthwave” for her characteristic synthwave and retrowave sound and aesthetic. She’s toured as the opening act for Erasure in their US tour in 2014 and she reached #6 on the Shazam charts when her song “My Mistake” was used in a Mercedes Benz advert.

NINA has collaborated with producers like Richard X, Futurecop!, Oscillian, Sunglasses Kid and New Division to name a few. Her debut album ‘Sleepwalking’ was released on March 2018, and sold out within a week on vinyl and CD and last year joined us as she released her new album SYNTHIAN.

This is the sound of Bristol and bringing us the festival vibes online, Dr Meaker combine dirt & soul sounds to fire up the sound system.

Considered by many to be the UK’s best Live Drum and Bass act and are Glastonbury and Bristol festival favourites. Combining amazing Soul vocalists, a brass section and a heavy rhythm section including drums, bass guitar, samples and synths.

Mixing Acoustic and Electronic instruments, their latest album ‘Dirt & Soul’ was the biggest selling Drum & Bass Album in the World and reached number 3 in the iTunes Electronic charts (worldwide), on its release. The band have been touring extensively and 2018 saw their international debuts in The Netherlands, Switzerland and Los Angeles. Dr Meaker continue their mission to take Live Drum & Bass across the World, Bristol Style!

They are one of the most exciting electronic live acts to come out of Bristol, a 9 piece line up, featuring Bristol’s finest musicians and vocalists, brings incredible energy to the stage every time they play. From nightclubs to festival fields the band have torn up venues earning them many accolades and awards, including winning Glastonbury Festival’s Live Act Competition and your votes as Best Act in the Pride Awards.

Makers of dreamy electronic pop they’ve supported Ladyhawke and played alongside Little Boots, Bright Light Bright Light and The Pet Shop Boys. With energetic shows, they’ve played for BBC Introducing and at SXSW, Canadian Music Week, Kendall Calling and blew us away at Pride Presents: in 2017 where the performance we will be sharing if from.

She’s internationally recognised as the world’s most authentic Lady Gaga tribute with uncanny natural resemblance with realistic performances which will leave you asking… Who is the real Gaga?

There is no other Lady Gaga tribute as accurate, as breath taking and as talked about as multi-Award Winning Donna Marie’s Lady Gaga tribute. 

The Official UK’s No1 Lady Gaga Tribute
Winner of National Tribute Music Awards six years running
Winner of Best Female Artist 2018
Winner of ITV’s Moon & Stars 

Her shows are a visually stunning and dramatic theatrical performance that recreates all of the drama, glitz and glamour of Lady Gaga’s most memorable performances.

LIVE sound-a-like vocals, handmade Jaw-dropping replica Gaga costume changes, amazing and accurate Gaga choreography and off course a fully working replica ‘Spark Bra’!

Get your imaginary microphone ready and join Miss Disney for the ultimate Queer Tale.

Move over Julie Andrews, take a seat Angela Lansbury, Miss Disney is here to give you A Whole New World of camp cabaret crooning. With more sparkle then Tinkerbell and a sense of humour that would make Maleficent blush, Miss Disney combines all the wonder of our childhood obsessions with the cheekiness of our adult minds. This AFAB queen is a vocal powerhouse who is not afraid to turn Disney Princesses into headstrong queer individuals, there’s a whole other reason Belle doesn’t want to marry Gaston in Miss Disney’s mind.

We couldn’t have an online Pride Day without this Bristol institution. The largest LGBT+ organisation in the South West, with over 150 members. They usually hold weekly rehearsals and regular performances, monthly social events and outreach work, promoting the LGBT+ cause throughout the area. They’ve kept rehearsals and performances going through lockdown online.

Be sure to catch their online fundraising concert as part of our festival events this year.

London based hip-hop producer, writer and performer SignKid hasn’t let being deaf get in the way of creating music. A rising star who signs his songs, released his debut EP Music is the Message in 2017 and is already making waves in the industry.

The video to his track Newsflash was nominated for Best Artistic Short Film at Deaffest and last year was announced among the first recipients of the MOBO Help Musicians Fund – a new initiative to assist new artists in realising their musical ambitions.

We’re very excited to be able to share with you this high energy set from Pride 2019 for LE1F an act we we’re able to bring to Bristol Pride in partnership with Kiki Bristol.

In a world full of rappers claiming to be one of a kind, Le1f (born Khalif Diouf) is a real deal original, a fascinatingly complicated personality full of seeming contractions.

Having studied ballet and modern dance before becoming an incredible rapper and producer based in New York. He’s an out and proud gay MC whose style is rooted in Tunnel bangers from a less socially enlightened era of hip-hop.

Le1f became a key figure in a subset of openly gay NYC rappers, gaining exposure for their refreshing contributions to hip-hop that grew out of the early-’90s drag and ball culture.

With BET Award nominated debut album “Due Drop”, and voicing the first black PowerPuff Girl, Toya is one of the most versatile and exciting new talents boasting from Africa. She performed with us in 2018 in partnership with KIKI Bristol and brought her infectious afro-beat with heavy bass sounds and drenched us with joy. Another chance to catch this pumping set.

Of course we had to have showbiz glambassador Boogaloo Stu hosting our online Pride Day. A performer, pop star, DJ and costume designer he’s a regular face at Bestival and venues like London’s RVT. He’s been keeping busy in lockdown with online quizzes and voiceovers!

Join Bristol’s own Briony Williams for a special bake-off tutorial for Pride. She’ll also be joined by fellow stars of the show.

Our stage curators provide friendly and professional dance classes in Bristol and South Glos for ages 3 up to adults, of any age and ability. With several dance styles under one roof they have the best instructors with global experience, passion and fabulous creativity. Throughout the year they usually provide two theatre shows, many workshops, holiday clubs, socials, parties and so much more. Check them out and get involved.

@streetenvydance

Luak Fire Tribe work together to create traditional native stories using imaginative visual displays across an entire range of circus skills including UV, hoops, fire, poi and more.

This is a special on location video showcasing the skills and performance styles from the team.

@LuakFireTribe

Born and raised in the heart of London, after having meningitis from a very young age Chris was made completely deaf (profound) in both ears.

His early childhood was when he started dancing, inspired by the movie ‘Breakin’, a 1984 dance classic, especially all the street dance moves and old skool dance such as; Electric Boogaloo, Popping, locking and B-Boy, which he decided to teach himself.

Chris has since discovered a passion for street dance and lyrical hip hop. This challenged Chris but he’s been able to develop his skills and interpret lyrical into choreography with perfect timing feeling the beats through vibrations and practising again and again. He’s featured in campaigns for Smirnoff and performed at the 2012 Paralympics opening ceremony.

Chris performed on stage with us last year and has kindly provided performances to share with you for Bristol Pride Online.

Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne based dance school Valarie’s Dance Studio aim to provide children and adults with access to as many styles of dance as possible. They also train contemporary, commercial, lyrical and street dance.

Knowledge and creativity should not be limited and there you can try a range of different subjects in a fun and supportive environment. They also offer classes for exam and performance groups too.

Since 2016 they have spread the Bollywood charm in Bristol, boasting classes across the city and also captivating audiences with newly formed London sessions too.

BollyRed has recently expanded to teach Salsa and Bachata Ladies Styling and this group are super excited to be performing something a little special for Bristol Pride Online.

PDMSL are a professional performance group aged 4-adult specialising in contemporary, musical theatre, jazz, hiphop and street dance.

Based in the South West for over 10 years, they have performed on some of the biggest stages including London O2, Colston Hall, Brisfest and of course Bristol Pride. They love performing at Pride and the for you the amazing audience and can’t wait to the stage again.

Joining us for the first time last year and super keen to perform again this year for you. Traditional Chinese Folk Dance from this local group made up of Chinese ladies living in Bristol and the South Gloucestershire area who enjoy dancing to keep fit and happy.

Led by Sandra Sanchez Ligero, trained by world-renowned sensual bachata pioneers such as Korke, Judith and Berra y Laura and with more than 10 years experience in flamenco, Bachateame are passionate and expressive.

Since moving from Spain to the UK in 2018, Sandra has joined up with Fernando Ania to create regular salsa and bachata classes which can be found at the Cuban and Taboo weekly.

Known for high-intensity classes choreographed to a variety of international rhythms including Latin and Caribbean.

Their classes are all about having fun, sweating and making it sexy! This year it will be a showcase of their work but that doesn’t mean you can’t carry on at home.

Silky-smooth vocalist with a wide repertoire of songs and a huge stage presence.

Performance highlights include National Theatre Riverside Stage, Sink the Pink, Wotever World, Duckie, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Latitude Festival. A regular on the London cabaret scene and co-host of the UK’s biggest Drag King competition Man Up!

Powerful vocals with such a soulful tone, you will be blown away by this incredible performer. His musical influences include Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Frank Ocean and Sam Smith.

You may recognise him as one half of popular duo Suit & Tye!

In 2018, Phoebe wowed the judges of The Voice Kids and landed a place on Team Pixie. She has since gone on to become a finalist of West End Calling.

Phoebe’s musical influences are Jessie J, Queen and Whitney Houston who she is singing for you in this special performance.

(That’s bad meaning good). Singer, rapper and spoken word artist with years of recording and live performance experience.

Supporting JLS at the start of their career, following the release of a #2 Dance Hit ‘Another Dimension’ with Timmy Vegas in 2009, they have since performed in dance arenas at Glastonbury and crowds of over 30,000 in Trafalgar Square.

Alongside being a regular live performer, Bad Lay-Dee is a committee member of Hackney Council’s QTIPOC (queer trans intersex people of colour) team, which has now created “Faggamuffin Bloc Party’ the first ever queer sound system.

Bristol Electronic Rock band Cosmic Ninja headlined the stage last year. With an eclectic musical style, they combine influences from a diverse range of rock and electronic music genres. A band that brings it for their live shows with interactive light synth and a synchronized light show, as well as their signature LED shoes and glasses.

This year they introduce you to their music and new track. A must for fans of Pvris, Enter Shikari, Pendulum, Twenty One Pilots, Chvrches, Bring me the Horizon, Linkin Park, Muse.

A Deaf performing artist that has worked in the industry for 12 years and worked on many different productions including Films, Theatre, TV presenting, Music videos and more.

Regularly translating songs into British Sign Language with the aim to make music more accessible and enjoyable for the Deaf community she also hopes to demonstrate that signed songs are not a performance to be solely enjoyed by a Deaf audience, but an alternative interpretation that can be enjoyed by all.

Nathanael is one half of Total Eclipse an established duo but due to lockdown they are bringing us some solo performances for Pride Day.

Nathanael is the reigning champion of Swindon’s Got Talent

Elicia is an incredible pop diva vocalist with soulful tones.

When she performs she bring classic hits through to today’s freshest tunes and she’s bringing a bit of SIA to Pride Day.

One of the UK’s leading Deaf Sign Song Performers. A ‘Pride of Britain Finalist’ in 2013, she translates the lyrics of songs and performs them in sign language for an emotive performance that gives Deaf people access to songs, whilst hearing people have the chance to experience the song both audibly, but more intensely, in a visual and powerful way. She has performed alongside artists such as Ronan Keating who she is performing for us this year.

Jeanette is the other half of Total Eclipse and has performed at many events in the region as well as the Queenshilling.

She brings powerhouse vocals.